Doubanjiang (Spicy Chili Bean Paste)

Doubanjiang, a salty paste made from fermented broad beans, is a spicy Chinese condiment extensively used in both Chinese and Japanese-Chinese cuisines. It is a must-have ingredient for making classic dishes like mapo tofu, mapo eggplant, miso ramen, and more!

For East Asian cooking—be it Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, or Korean—you’ll find many different kinds of soybean pastes and sauces being used. Doubanjiang (Fermented Bean Paste) is another one that should belong to your pantry. Why? You’ll love the kick and depth of flavor that it adds to everything you stir it into.

Also, it is the secret bomb in all our popular ramen recipes like Miso Ramen, Tan Tan Ramen, Vegetarian Ramen, and more! So let’s learn more about this ingredient.

What is Doubanjiang?

Made from fermented broad beans, soybeans, salt, rice, and various spices, doubanjiang (豆瓣酱), also called douban, is a salty paste that is the backbone for Sichuan (Szechuan) style Chinese cooking. For Japanese cooking, we use doubanjiang for chuka ryori (Japanese-Chinese cuisine), particularly in Sichuan-inspired dishes like mapo tofu, ramen dishes, and more.

Is doubanjiang the same as black bean sauce?

Although the non-spicy doubanjiang (豆瓣酱) is sometimes called fermented black bean paste, it is different from black bean sauce. Black bean sauce is another condiment that is very similar but is made from fermented black beans, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and Chinese vinegar.

1. Spicy Doubanjiang

When we say doubanjiang, it is typically referred to the spicy version called La Doubanjiang, written as 辣豆瓣酱 in Chinese. You’ll also find doubanjiang being referred to as spicy bean sauce, spicy broad bean paste, toban-djan, or broad bean chili sauce.

What Does It Taste Like?

The spicy fermented bean sauce not only adds a great punch of savory flavor but also lends heat to the sauce and an enticing red color to the dishes! It really has the perfect mix of spicy and salty flavors. Take note that different brands will have different heat levels and the umami profile is subject to the fermentation period.

2. Non-Spicy Doubanjiang

There is also a non-spicy doubanjiang (豆瓣醤), which has a dark color without any signs of red chili (click here to read more).

It can be confusing when choosing doubanjiang as the English translation is very different from brand to brand. So look for the Chinese character on the label. If you see 辣 in front of 豆瓣醤, then that’s the spicy one. You should be able to tell by the color of the paste/sauce.

3. Gluten-Free Doubanjiang

Yes, there is a Japanese brand that carries gluten-free doubanjiang.

Where to Buy & Recommended Brands

You can find doubanjiang in most Japanese and Asian grocery stores or online.

• Spicy Doubanjiang (La Doubanjiang) – I personally use the Taiwanese Lian How (岡山) or Ming De (明徳) brand which has a milder heat level compared to the Sichuan brand. Another widely available brand is the Lee Kum Kee brand. However, their Chili Bean Sauce (Toban Djan) is not as fragrant and umami-packed. For an authentic Sichuan taste that has great depth of flavor and spiciness, you can look for Pixian Doubanjiang (郫縣豆瓣), named after the town of Pixian in Sichuan province. This is a popular brand in China and you can buy it from The Mala Market.

• Non-Spicy Doubanjiang – A Taiwanese Lian How brand of doubanjiang is NOT spicy. The color is brown and no sign of red chili in there. Amazon does not sell non-spicy broad bean paste, but Walmart and Weee! sells it (please let me know if you find this brand online).

• Gluten-Free Doubanjiang – It looks like Youki Sichuan Doubanjiang is the only gluten-free doubanjiang. One website I found mentioned about these doubanjiang brands below are gluten-free: Mong Lee Shang, Six Fortune, and Master.

Substitute for Doubanjiang

There is really no good substitute for doubanjiang. However, if you really can’t find the sauce, you can use other bean paste such as miso or Korean chili paste gochujang and mix it with chili oil to create the spicy and umami profile in a pinch. Some people suggest sambal oelek, but I don’t think it is the right substitute even though it gives you the heat.

These other sauces will yield a slightly different flavor to your dishes, so pay attention to what you’re making. You would be ok with stir-fries or marinades but get a jar of doubanjiang if you want to make seriously good ramen soup broths.

How to Use

Doubanjiang can add amazing savoriness, complexity, and heat to your dishes. It is pungent and spicy, so a little goes a long way. Add it to your stir fries, season your soup broths, or make a fantastic hot sauce for your noodle dishes. It can also be used as a flavor base for marinades or to kick up your dipping sauce.

Popular Recipes Using Doubanjiang

Here are so many scrumptious recipes using doubanjiang! Check them out below and you’d want to grab a jar of this spicy bean sauce for your pantry right away.

More Condiments and Sauces to Discover

• Sesame Oil
• La-yu (Japanese Chili Oil)
• Oyster Sauce
• Sweet Bean Sauce (Tianmianjiang)
• Miso Paste (Japanese Fermented Bean Paste)

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